32 Questions
What percentage of an oral dose of lithium is excreted by the kidney within 12 hours?
50%
What is the effect of decreased Na+ levels on lithium excretion?
Decreased lithium excretion
What is a common side effect of lithium therapy?
Diarrhea
What is a potential consequence of prolonged lithium therapy?
Renal tubular damage
Why is monitoring of plasma levels and electrolytes necessary during lithium therapy?
Due to lithium's narrow therapeutic window
What is a potential complication of acute lithium toxicity?
Coma
What is the typical duration for reaching a steady-state concentration of lithium in the body?
1-2 weeks
What is a potential consequence of diuretic use in patients taking lithium?
Decreased lithium excretion
What is the effect of thiazide diuretics on lithium?
Decrease renal excretion
What is the mechanism of action of antiepileptic drugs in treating bipolar disorder?
Blockade of Na+ channels
Which of the following antiepileptic drugs is effective in treating bipolar disorder resistant to other medications?
Riluzole
What is the therapeutic benefit of atypical antipsychotics in bipolar disorder?
Effective in treating manic phases
Which of the following is a combination therapy for treating bipolar disorder?
Olanzapine and fluoxetine
What is the advantage of antiepileptic drugs over lithium in treating bipolar disorder?
Fewer side effects
What is the effect of valproate and carbamazepine on the recurrence of bipolar disorder?
Reduce the recurrence
What is the pharmacological effect of atypical antipsychotics in treating bipolar disorder?
Blockade of D2 and 5-HT2A receptors
What is the primary mechanism by which lithium accumulates inside excitable cells?
It is not pumped out by the Na+/K+ ATPase pump
Which of the following is a therapeutic benefit of lithium?
Treatment of Alzheimer's disease
What is the effect of lithium on IP3 breakdown?
It blocks IP3 breakdown
What is the effect of lithium on glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)?
It inhibits GSK3
What is the effect of lithium on hormone-induced cAMP formation and signalling?
It blocks cAMP formation and signalling
Why are brain and kidney cells more sensitive to the effects of lithium?
Because they are selectively taken up by lithium
What is the consequence of lithium accumulation in excitable cells?
Loss of K+
What is the characteristic of lithium's therapeutic window?
It is very narrow
What is the therapeutic plasma concentration of lithium?
0.5-1 mmol/L
What happens when lithium concentrations exceed 1.5 mmol/L?
It becomes toxic
Why are antipsychotic and antiepileptic drugs preferred in acute attacks of bipolar disease?
They are safer and act faster than lithium
What is the time frame for the beneficial effects of mood stabilizing drugs to develop?
3-4 weeks
What are benzodiazepines sometimes used for in bipolar patients?
To induce sedation
What is the primary use of mood stabilizing drugs?
To prevent and reduce manic and depressive phases
Why is lithium reserved for chronic management of bipolar disease?
Its safety profile may cause limitations
What is the role of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar disease?
To reduce depressive symptoms
Understand how lithium, a carbonate salt, is absorbed, distributed, and excreted by the body. Learn about its narrow therapeutic window and the importance of plasma level and electrolyte monitoring. Discover how sodium levels impact lithium excretion.
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